CHARLES L. BACON

(1909 - 1989)
Legion National Commander

Born in Marshall, Missouri, 1909, he married the former Helen Selvidge and they had two children. Helen Selvidge is the daughter of the late Robert Selvidge, longtime faculty member at the University of Missouri. An attorney by profession he was a partner in the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon and lived in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bacon graduated from Marshall High School and Missouri Valley College and while at the University of Missouri School of Law served on the law review, graduated from the latter with honors in 1934 having served as President of the Student Body during his senior year. Following a 4?year period of service with the United States Navy during WWII, during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he returned to his law practice in Marshall, Missouri. In 1952, he became affiliated with Skelly Oil Company, and served as Chief Counsel of the Marketing Division, until returning to general law practice with his Kansas City firm. In 1961, Bacon was the first Missourian ever to be elected to the office of National Commander of The American Legion, this occurring at the national convention in Denver, Colorado. Following an outstanding year as leader of the 3,000,000 member organization, a year in which the membership rose sharply, he continued his active interest in The American Legion and its many fine programs, with emphasis in the Legion's youth programs. In 1978, Bacon received the living American Legion Department of Missouri Distinguished Service Award. Bacon served as chairman of the A. B. Weyer Memorial Trust and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Boys State of Missouri Executive Committee and Board of Directors until his untimely death in 1989.

 

Cities of Bacon County:
		Weyer City Gambrel City